Tank structure

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, strong tank structure, primarily suited for use as an aboveground swimming pool, wherein the wall surrounding the liquid-containing area is made principally of a light metal and has a box-shaped cross section formed by corrugated panels joined by extrusions and with the corrugations of the panels disposed transversely of the panels.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Robert Pitkin Orelind Wilmette, Ill.[21] Appl. No. 732,260 [22] Filed May 27, 1968 [45] Patented Apr. 13,1971 [73] Assignee Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation Oakland,Calif.

[54] TANK STRUCTURE 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl... 4/172.l9 [51] lnt.Cl E04h 3/18 [50] Field of Search4/l72.l9, 172

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,256,532 6/1966 Lindsey eta1 4/172.19

3,280,408 10/1966 Gershman 4/172. 1 9 3,317,926 5/1967 Hall 4/172.193,409,916 11/1968 Billig et a1... 4/172.19 3,416,165 12/1968 Pereira4/172.19 3,447,168 6/1969 Gabrielli et a1. 4/172.19

Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea Assistant Examinerlohn H. DodgeAttorneys-.1 ames E. Toomey, Paul E. Calrow, Harold L.

Jenkins and Leo F. Costello ABSTRACT: A lightweight, strong tankstructure, primarily suited for use as an aboveground swimming pool.wherein the wall surrounding the liquid-containing area is madeprincipally of a light metal and has a box-shaped cross section formedby corrugated panels joined by extrusions and with the corrugations ofthe panels disposed transversely of the panels.

Patented April 13, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I l mlnlwhu mvsmom 05527 025.4l/VD BY 2 L7-7 2 ATTORNEY Patented April 13', 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a, wow m N Qb INVENTOR. Passer/Q Uk'L/IVD BY 3 J7 a 4770P/VEY M I 'lIH'NHPatented A ril13, 1911 3,574,870

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR- I I E Paazer A 04 54 //v0 ATI'OE/VEV PatentedApril 13, 197E 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY TANK STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a tank structure andmore particularly to a lightweight and strong wall construction for anaboveground liquid-containing tank wherein the wall is generallybox-shaped in cross section and is formed by interconnected corrugatedpanels.

Although aboveground portable swimming pools have been commerciallyavailable for many years, there has been a desire to increase the sizeof such pools so that they might be more comparable to pools installedin the ground. In order to contain the high water pressure of such alarger pool of 16 feet by 24 feet by 4 feet for example, it has beennecessary to use a relatively heavy steel construction, as typified bythe pool disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,256,532 and by other recentlypatented art. As a result, such pools have been expensive and timeconsuming to assemble. Also, they have been too heavy v and haverequired too much maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In contrast, the tank of the present inventioncan be made almost entirely of a very lightweight metal, such asaluminum, because of its unique sidewall'construction which is capableof withstanding the forces involved. This sidewall has a boxshaped crosssection and is formed of corrugated panels, preferably joined byextruded brackets, with the corrugations of the panels disposed so as toimpart a high strength to the wall of the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aswimming pool which has a wall construction incorporating the principlesof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of one of the moduleswhich form the wall construction of the pool of FIG. I, and a portion ofa Iiquid-containing liner attached to the wall construction.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of a corner of the pool of FIG. Iwith portions being broken away to show internal construction.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 44 in FIG. I withportionsbeing broken away for illustrative convenience and showing in particularthe box-beam shape of the sidewall of the pool.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on a plane at a position indicatedbyline 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation as seen from a position indicated byline 6-6 in FIG. I with portions being broken away.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject tank construction is conveniently shownand described with reference to a swimming pool which is generallyidentified by numeral 10. The pool has a wall structure 12 resting onthe ground 14 and including sides 16 and 18, each of which is formed ofa plurality of wall sections or modules 20, and comers 22 joiningadjacent sides and ends.

Each wall modules (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6) includes a corrugated bottom panel28 of sheet material, such as aluminum sheet, with the corrugations 30thereof being defined by parallel flanges 32 and diagonal webs 34, withthe panel having opposite inner and outer side edges 36 and opposite endedges 38, and with the corrugations disposed transversely of the lengthof the panel. The inner side edge of the panel is fitted in a lowersocket 40 of a lower inner bracket 42. which is preferably an extrusionof a light metal such as aluminum. The panel is connected to thebrackets by rivets 44 which extend through flanges 32.

A lower outer bracket 50 has a lower socket 52, in which the outer sideedge 36 of bottom panel 28 is fitted, and an upper socket 54. The outerbracket is connected to, the

bottom panel preferably by n'vets 44 in a manner similar to the innerbracket 42. In the preferred method of constructing the pool, the bottompanel and the lower brackets 42 and 50 are prefabricated or preassembledat a factory by riveting the brackets to the panel as described. Ofcourse, the brackets and the panel could be connected by any suitablefastening means at the factory, at the site of the pool, or elsewhere.

The module 20 also includes a corrugated outer panel having a lower sideedge 62 fitted in the upper socket 54 of the lower outer bracket 50 andpreferably connected thereto by screws 64. The corrugations 64 of theouter panel 66 are formed in the same manner as the corrugation 30 andare disposed transversely of the outer panel. The outer panel also hasan upper side edge 68 over which is placed a railing 70, preferably anextruded channel of a light material such as aluminum, that is connectedto the outer panel as by screws 72.

An inner corrugated panel 78 of the same construction as the bottom andouter panels 28 and 60, and with the corrugations disposed transverselythereof, has a lower side edge 80 fitted in the upper socket 46 of thelower bracket 42 and connected thereto, such as by screws 64. The innerpanel has an upper side edge 84 which is fitted in a lower socket of anupper inner bracket 92 and is secured thereto, as by screws 64.

The wall module 20 also has a corrugated top panel 96 having oppositeside edges 98 respectively fitted in an upper socket 100 of the upperinner bracket 92 and in a socket 104 of an upper outer bracket 106,being connected thereto by rivets 44. As before, the corrugations 108 ofthe top panel are disposed transversely thereof. As with the bottompanel 28, the top panel and the upper brackets are preferablyprefabricated at a factory and delivered to the pool site as asubassembly. The .outer panel 60 is also connected to the upper outerbracket 106 by fasteners 110 which are preferably nuts and bolts. It isto be noted that the upper outer brackets connect to the outer panelintermediate the upper and lower edges thereof.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the bottom, outer, inner and toppanels 28, 60, 78 and 96, respectively, are interconnected by thebrackets 42, 50, 92 and 106 in box formation so that the cross-sectionalshape of the module of 20 as viewed in FIG. 4, is box shaped. Inessence, therefore, the interconnected panels and brackets provide abox-beam structure for the module 20. All of the corrugations 30, 66, 82and 102 of the panels are disposed transversely of the panels as well asof the modules. Both the top and bottom panels are substantiallyhorizontal, the inner panel is substantially vertical, and the outerpanel preferably extends upward and outward at a slight acute angle tothe vertical.

A walkway I20 is provided on the top panel 96 of each module 20 andincludes a relatively rigid top sheet 122, such as aluminum sheet, and astrip 124 of outdoor carpeting bonded to the top sheet. The top sheethas an inner edge 125 fitted in a notch 126 in the inner upper bracket92 and an opposite side edge I27 abutting the outer upper bracket 106.

The walkway is fastened by screws 64 along the edge 127 to the topflanges of The corrugations 108 of the top panel. Each module also hasan inner sheet 130 placed against the inside surface of the inner panel78 and held thereto under flanges of the lower and upper inner brackets42 and 92.

The modules 20 are attached end-to-end to form the sides 16 and ends 18of the pool 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. The ends of adjacentpairs of modules are interconnected by overlapping the endmost flatflanges 32 of the corrugations 30, 66, 82 and 108 joining the sametogether by screws 64. Also, connecting bars (FIGS. 4 and 6) bridgeadjacent modules, are fitted in the sockets 40, 52, I00 and 104 and areconnected to their associated brackets 42, 50, 92 and 106 by fasteners110.

The corners 22 (FIGS. I and 3) of the pool I0, which join adjacent sides16 and ends 18, include upper triangular gussets connected inperpendicular relation to the upper inner brackets 92 of adjacent sidesand ends and lower gussets, not shown, joining the lower inner brackets42. A vertical angle member 146 (FIG. 3) is disposed between the sideand end and connected thereto. Each corner also includes a corrugatedtop panel 148 covered by a walkway 150, a comer bracket 152 connected tothe top panel 148, angular corner bars 154 joining the comer bracketwith the adjacent upper outer brackets 106 of the adjacent side and end,an outer panel 156 connected to the outer panels 60 of the side and endby angular sheet connectors 158 and to the corner bracket, and a cornerrailing 160 connected to the upper edge of the outer panel 156 andabutting the railings 70 for the end and side. Side and end brackets 162and 164 are also connected to the top panel 148 and to the top panels ofthe side and end. Although not shown, each corner also includes a bottompanel and brackets connected in a manner now believed to be understood.

Substantially the entire pool as described above can be made of a lightmetal such as aluminum. Thus, the panels 28, 60, 78, 96,148 and 156 andthe sheets 122 and 130 as well as the gussets 145 can be made ofaluminum sheet. Furthermore, all of the brackets 42, 50, 92, 106, 152,162 and 164 and the railings 70 and 176 as well as the bars 140 can bemade of aluminum extrusions. Even the rivets 44, the screws 64 and thefasteners 110 can be made of aluminum. Insofar as the wall structure 12is concerned, only the outdoor carpet 124 is of nonaluminum in thepreferred form of this wall structure. Of course, the principles of thepresent invention, involving the interconnection of the corrugatedpanels into a box beam, are not dependent upon the use of aluminumalthough the high strength afforded by this construction makes possiblethe use of a light metal such as aluminum. As an example of the lightweight of a pool constructed according to the present invention, withpools ranging in size from feet by I3 feet to 40 feet by 20 feet, theweight will range from about 1,244 pounds to about 2,150 pounds.

Moreover, the pools under 20 feet in width are all capable ofwithstanding the water pressures within the wall structure 12 withoutany additional reinforcing for the wall structure or connection thereofinto the ground. For pools wider than 20 feet, however, it is preferredto employ a tie-bar 175 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 6) which extends across thewidth of the pool 10, intermediate the length thereof, and is connectedto the lower inner and outer brackets 42 and 50 by angle bars 176 andfasteners 178.

Although not constituting a part of the present invention, the pool 10employs a plastic liner 180 which has an upper edge 182 fitted in a slot184 of the inner upper brackets 92. To separate the liner from the anglebars 176 and the inner lower brackets 42 and to provide a softer surfaceon which to walk, sand 186 is normally placed between the bottom wall ofthe liner and the lower inner bracket 42 and the angle bars 176.

In summary, therefore, the tank structure of the present inventionincludes a wall 12 completely surrounding the liquid receiving area, thewall being constructed of corrugated panels 28, 60, 78 and 96interconnected in a continuous box beam or monocoque construction. Asused herein, a monocoque structure means a boxlike or tubularlikestructure formed by a plurality of panels in which stresses and strainsimposed on one or more of the panels are shared by other panels in thestructure. In the present tank structure, the boxbeam wall formed by thepanels is strong enough, without the aid of any connections into theground such as footings, stakes or the like, to take the hydrostaticforce Fl (F 10. 4) imposed by the liquid within the tank against theinner panel 78 as well its the deckloud force F2 imposed by people onthe walkways 120 and 150; the structure is self-supporting, merelyresting on the ground or other support surface. Bending forces whichresult from the imposition of the hydrostatic force F1 on the innerpanels 78 are shared by the top and bottom panels 96 and 28, whereas thetorsional forces caused by the application of the resultant force F1closer to the bottom than to the top of the inner panel 78 are taken bythe inner and outer panels 78 and 60; in this sense, the structure issimilar to a torque tube.

Since the box beam of corrugated panels 28, 60, 78 and 96 with thecorrugations disposed transversely of the panels are of such highstrength, it is unnecessary to attach any bracings, such as extrusions,transversely of the panels; the corrugated panels interconnected in thedescribed manner provide the necessary strength for both column andshear loads.

Another advantage is that difference size pools or tanks can beconstructed from various combinations of identical modules 20 andidentical corners 22. And, since a portion of each module ispreassembled, the amount of onsite fabrication is minimized.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a tank structure,particularly suitable for use as an aboveground swimming pool, has beenprovided which features the use of corrugated sheets interconnected bybrackets, all of which may be fabricated from a light metal such asaluminum, and in which the corrugations of the panels are disposedtransversely to the length thereof thereby. to form a wall structurehaving a generally box-shaped cross section. The resulting constructionis light and strong and is ideal for a portable aboveground swimmingpool of sizes which correspond to the swimming pools which are installedin the ground.

Although a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described,it will be evident that modifications can be made in the details thereofwithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A tank device provided with upstanding wall means adapted to rest ona support surface and surrounding the liquid-receiving area of the tankdevice, and liquidtight means in said area for containing a body ofliquid, said wall means being generally comprised of interconnectingmodules that are box-shaped in vertical cross section and generallymonocoque in construction, at least certain of said modules each beingprovided with a plurality of corrugated panels interconnected to formsaid generally box-shaped cross section, said panels including an innerpanel which faces the liquid-receiving area and against which is imposedthe hydrostatic pressure in said area, and a further panel disposed inangular relation to said inner panel, and bracket means disposed betweenand connected to said inner and further panels for transferringhydrostatic loads from said inner panel to said further panel wherebysaid further panel absorbs a portion of the bending forces which aretransferred thereto by said inner panel and which result from saidhydrostatic pressure.

2. A tank having a wall structure surrounding a liquidreceiving area,said wall structure being generally of monocoque construction andcomprised of individual interconnected modules made up of elongated top,bottom, inner and outer corrugated panels, means interconnecting thepanels of a given module to each other as well as to panels of anothermodule, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the wall structure of saidgiven module being generally box-shaped with the inner and outer panelsof the given module projecting up from the bottom panel thereof and thetop panel of the given module being connected to the inner and outerpanels and constituting a means for supporting a walkway around the saidarea, and said inner panel of the given module being directly disposedrelative to the liquid-receiving area whereby the hydrostatic pressureof the liquid exerted directly against said inner panel will betransferred to the top and bottom panels and partly resisted by saidlast-mentioned panels as well as said inner panel.

3. The tank of claim 2 wherein the corrugations of each panel extendtransversely of its panel.

4. The tank of claim 2 including outer lower, inner lower and innerupper elongated brackets each having a pair of elongated sockets, saidpanels having side edges, the adjacent side edges of said outer andbottom panels, of said bottom and inner panels, and of said inner andtop panels respectively fitting into the sockets of said outer lowerbracket, said inner lower bracket and said inner upper bracket, meansconnecting said interfitted panels and brackets together, and a bracketjoining said outer and top panels together.

5. The tank of claim 6 wherein said panels are made of light' sheetmetal and wherein said brackets are made of extrusions of a light metal,

6. The tank of claim'2 wherein said walkway is a flat sheet overlyingsaid top panel.

7. The tank of claim 2 including an inner flat sheet disposed over saidinner panel and facing said liquid-receiving area.

8. The tank of claim 2 wherein said outer panel extends above saidwalkway.

9. In a tank having a wall surrounding an area adapted to containliquid, said wall including a wall module comprising a corrugated bottompanel, inner and outer corrugated panels connected to and extendingupward from said bottom panel so that inner and outer panels are inconfronting relation and so that said inner panel is in juxtaposedrelation to the liquidcontaining area of the tank, and a corrugated toppanel interconnecting the inner and outer panels in confronting relationto said bottom panel, said panels thereby forming a tubular structure,the corrugations of each panel running transversely of said module.

10. A swimming pool comprised of a plurality of interconnected modulesso arranged as to form a closed monocoque structure, at least certain ofsaid modules being comprised of elongated top, bottom, inner and outercorrugated panels of aluminum sheet, each of said panels having oppositeside edges, said bottom panel being supported in a horizontal plane,elongated lower brackets of aluminum extrusions individually connectedto the side edges of the bottom panel, the side edges of the inner andouter panels being individually connected to said brackets and extendingupward from said bottom panel, elongated upper brackets of aluminumextrusions connected to the outer panel above the lower brackets and tothe upwardly disposed side edge of the inner panel, said top panelhaving its side edges individually connected to said upper brackets inconfronting relation to the bottom panel, each of said panelscircumscribing the water receiving area of the pool and the corrugationsof each of the panels being disposed transversely of the longitudinalaxes of their respective panels and watertight means for containing abody of water attached to the inwardly disposed upper brackets andpositioned within said inner panel.

11. The pool structure of claim 10 wherein said outer panel extendsupward and outward in acute angular relation to the vertical.

12. The pool structure of claim 10 including flat aluminum sheetsdisposed on the top panel and against the inner side of the inner panel.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,574,870 Dated April 13 1971 ln e t fl Robert P. Orelind i g It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified paterit and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

line 51, "Fig. l with" should be Fig. l and with Column 1,

Column 1 line 60 "and 18" should be and ends 18 Column 1, line 62,"modules 20" should be module 20 Column 2, line 15, "light mat erial"should be light metal Column 2, line 59, "The" should be the Column 2,line 67, "108 joining" should be 108 and joinin Column 5, line 5, "Claim6" should be Claim 4 Signed and sealed this Zlrth day of August 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting; OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. A tank device provided with upstanding wall means adapted to rest ona support surface and surrounding the liquid-receiving area of the tankdevice, and liquidtight means in said area for containing a body ofliquid, said wall means being generally comprised of interconnectingmodules that are box-shaped in vertical cross section and generallymonocoque in construction, at least certain of said modules each beingprovided with a plurality of corrugated panels interconnected to formsaid generally box-shaped cross section, said panels including an innerpanel which faces the liquid-receiving area and against which is imposedthe hydrostatic pressure in said area, and a further panel disposed inangular relation to said inner panel, and bracket means disposed betweenand connected to said inner and further panels for transferringhydrostatic loads from said inner panel to said further panel wherebysaid further panel absorbs a portion of the bending forces which aretransferred thereto by said inner panel and which result from saidhydrostatic pressure.
 2. A tank having a wall structure surrounding aliquid-receiving area, said wall structure being generally of monocoqueconstruction and comprised of individual interconnected modules made upof elongated top, bottom, inner and outer corrugated panels, meansinterconnecting the panels of a given module to each other as well as topanels of another module, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the wallstructure of said given module being generally box-shaped with the innerand outer panels of the given module projecting up from the bottom panelthereof and the top panel of the given module being connected to theinner and outer panels and constituting a means for supporting a walkwayaround the said area, and said inner panel of the given module beingdirectly disposed relative to the liquid-receiving area whereby thehydrostatic pressure of the liquid exerted directly against said innerpanel will be transferred to the top and bottom panels and partlyresisted by said last-mentioned panels as well as said inner panel. 3.The tank of claim 2 wherein the corrugations of each panel extendtransversely of its panel.
 4. The tank of claim 2 including outer lower,inner lower and inner upper elongated brackets each having a pair ofelongated sockets, said panels having side edges, the adjacent sideedges of said outer and bottom panels, of said bottom and inner panels,and of said inner and top panels respectively fitting into the socketsof said outer lower bracket, said inner lower bracket and said innerupper bracket, means connecting said interfitted panels and bracketstogether, and a bracket joining said outer and top panels together. 5.The tank of claim 6 wherein said panels are made of light sheet metaland wherein said brackets are made of extrusions of a light metal. 6.The tank of claim 2 wherein said walkway is a flat sheet overlying saidtop panel.
 7. The tank of claim 2 including an inner flat sheet disposedover said inner panel and facing said liquid-receiving area.
 8. The tankof claim 2 wherein said outer panel extends above said walkway.
 9. In atank having a wall surrounding an area adapted to contain liquid, saidwall including a wall module comprising a corrugated bottom panel, innerand outer corrugated panels connected to and extending upward from saidbottom panel so that inner and outer panels are in confronting relationand so that said inner panel is in juxtaposed relation to theliquid-containing area of the tank, and a corrugated top panelinterconnecting the inner and outer panels in confronting relation tosaid bottom panel, said panels thereby forming a tubular structure, thecorrugations of each panel running transversely of said module.
 10. Aswimming pool comprised of a plurality of interconnected modules soarranged as to form a closed monocoque structure, at least certain ofsaid modules being comprised of elongated top, bottom, inner and outercorrugated panels of aluminum sheet, each of said panels having oppositeside edges, said bottom panel being supported in a horizontal plane,elongated lower brackets of aluminum extrusions individually connectedto the side edges of the bottom panel, the side edges of the inner andouter panels being individually connected to said brackets and extendingupward from said bottom panel, elongated upper brackets of aluminumextrusions connected to the outer panel above the lower brackets and tothe upwardly disposed side edge of the inner panel, said top panelhaving its side edges individually connected to said upper brackets inconfronting relation to the bottom panel, each of said panelscircumscribing the water receiving area of the pool and the corrugationsof each of the panels being disposed transversely of the longitudinalaxes of their respective panels and watertight means for containing abody of water attached to the inwardly disposed upper brackets andpositioned within said inner panel.
 11. The pool structure of claim 10wherein said outer panel extends upward and outward in acute angularrelation to the vertical.
 12. The pool structure of claim 10 includingflat aluminum sheets disposed on the top panel and against the innerside of the inner panel.